Understanding translation turnaround times

3 Feb 2025

Time is of the essence within global business, and when working with professional translation services, understanding your translation turnaround time helps ensure a smoother, more efficient project.

Read on to learn the importance of time transparency, the factors influencing translation turnaround times, and why professional translation services are worth the wait.

The Importance of Time Transparency

Whether you’re launching a global campaign, preparing legal documents, or meeting a tight publication deadline, having transparency with your professional translation services provider is hugely beneficial.

Transparency in turnaround times helps to:

Set Realistic Expectations: Knowing when to expect your completed translation eliminates uncertainty and allows for more comprehensive planning.

Avoid Costly Delays: Timely delivery ensures your projects stay on track, preventing interruptions that could affect your project’s financials.

Build Trust: Clear communication about deadlines reflects professionalism and reliability, granting you the peace of mind knowing your content is in good hands.

We all know the better the planning, the better the results. Having a trusting, communicative relationship with your professional translation services is invaluable, as it means everyone is on the same page and working towards the right deadlines.

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Factors affecting translation turnaround time

There are multiple ways to optimise your planning and improve the efficiency of your translation project. Here are the key factors that influence your translation turnaround time.

Length and complexity of the text:
Long reports, technical documents, or highly specialised content require more time to translate accurately. Allowing more time for these projects will ensure that complex information is thoroughly and precisely translated, preventing costly errors and misunderstandings. On average, a professional translator can handle around 2,000 to 3,000 words per day, but this can vary based on the complexity and nature of the content.
Language pair and direction:
The language combination (e.g., English to Chinese vs. Spanish to French) can impact the time required for translation. Different languages have varying levels of complexity and availability of resources. Choosing the right translator for your specific languages guarantees not only speed but also accuracy and cultural appropriateness.
Subject matter expertise:
Translations involving legal, medical, or technical content often require specialised knowledge. Expert translators with subject matter knowledge ensure that industry-specific terminology is used correctly, preserving the integrity and precision of the original document. This expertise may extend turnaround time slightly but is crucial for high-stakes translations.
Quality assurance processes:
Proofreading, editing or quality assurance checks can be vital for highly specialised projects. These additional safety nets will help ensure that the final product is polished and error-free.

Why professional translations are worth the wait

When it comes to translation, quality takes precedence over speed. Inexperienced translators or tools like Google Translate might offer you fast solutions, but they often lack the contextual knowledge, accuracy, and professionalism required for effective communication.

Choosing professional language services ensures your message is not just translated but adapted to resonate with your target audience, avoiding costly misunderstandings. To ensure greater efficiency, professional translators may also use sophisticated translation tools.

Professional translation services may offer faster turnaround solutions. You can contact us to discuss our available options.

Key takeaways

Effectively managing translation turnaround times involves planning ahead, prioritising key documents, selecting the right provider, and maintaining clear communication. By addressing these areas, your business can ensure timely, accurate translations that meet your specific requirements and deadlines.
If you need your documents translated and are working towards a deadline, get in touch with our team today. We will help provide the best solution for your project.

Why Choose Intonation?

Our team of linguists are handpicked and passionate about producing accurate, fully localised translations across various industries. In addition to leveraging reliable machine translation, we match our translators to each project by their ‘mother tongue’ and industry background, ensuring our translations are of the highest quality.

Some of these translation services include:

eLearning translation

Patent translation

Technical translation

Multimedia language services

Multilingual SEO

For timely turnarounds and professional translation services you can trust, get in touch with us at Intonation today. Request a free sample here!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do you charge rush fee for urgent jobs?
Intonation does not usually charge rush fees. Instead, we will discuss your deadline requirements with you, and we will try to accommodate to your needs by suggesting the best possible set up for your project.

2. What factors influence translation turnaround times?
Key factors include the length and complexity of the text, the language pair required, and the specialisation or subject matter.

3. How can I ensure my translation project stays on schedule?
Clear communication with your translation provider, providing detailed project briefs, and allowing adequate time for quality assurance can help ensure your project stays on track.